Juvenile Justice News Flash!

TCJC Survey Shows Continued Need For Juvenile Justice Reform

A new TCJC survey finds continued urgency for reforms in the Texas juvenile justice system. Those reforms, enacted by the 2011 legislature, task the new Texas Juvenile Justice Department with creating a system that keeps as many youth as possible in programs in their home counties -- the survey shows why that’s a winning strategy.

Read TCJC’s press release here.

The survey findings are based on interviews conducted with 115 youth at Giddings State School, one of the six state secure facilities for juveniles in Texas. The youth identified education as the most helpful in preparing them for a future after lock-up; they identified poorly trained staff as the least helpful part of the juvenile justice system; they said youth-on-youth violence is the most important issue to them; and they said they want more visits with family.

We are deeply grateful to the Office of the Independent Ombudsman and the leadership of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department for their support of the survey. Their openness shows a great commitment to transparency and reform.

Texas House Corrections Committee on Corrections

Interim Hearing- March 6, 2012

On March 6, 2012, the Texas House Committee on Corrections is holding an interim hearing on the following charges:

Monitor the implementation of S.B. 653 (82R), which created the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Make any recommendations needed to enhance the integration of the Texas Youth Commission and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission.
Read TCJC’s testimony on this charge here.
Study and make recommendations about issues related to the certification of juveniles as adults.
Read TCJC’s testimony on this charge here.

Interested in attending the hearing? Here are the details:
When: 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Where: E2.014
Couldn’t make it? You can view a broadcast here.

New at TCJC!!!

TCJC will now be providing links to registration for webinars on the most current issues facing system-involved youth. These webinars are perfect supplements for training sessions and an amazing resource for everyone who is interested in making a better tomorrow for the children of today. Click here to access registration for up coming webinars.

TJJD Elects Cherie Townsend as Executive Director to Oversee New Juvenile Justice Agency

On January 6th, the Executive Board for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), elected Cherie Townsend as their new Executive Director. Ms. Townsend, former Executive Director of the Texas Youth Commission, will be responsible in leading the agency through reform and establishing a new culture which will fall in line with the mission and goals of S.B. 653. The direction this new agency takes will rely heavily on the oversight of the new E.D. and their board, TCJC is optimistic that this direction will be a positive one. We would like to extend our congratulations to Ms. Townsend and look forward to working with her to ensure that every child in Texas feels safe and confident in a bright future.

The Evolution of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department

December 1, 2011, marked an important day in the Texas juvenile justice reform process, as the two previous juvenile justice service agencies, the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) and the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission (TJPC), were merged into the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD). As mandated by recent legislation (S.B. 653), TJJD is responsible for increasing the use of community and family based programming to treat troubled youth and for decreasing the use of commitments to secure facilities. While this agency is in its infancy, the board members chosen to oversee this agency show the promise required to build a culture of safety and hope in the juvenile justice system in Texas. A top priority for the new board will be to appoint an Executive Director that is invested in creating this culture. TCJC has provided a letter encouraging the Board to look for specific qualities among those interviewed for the appointment. To view this letter, click here. To learn more about this new agency please visit the TJJD website.

In the News: New Youth Agency Taking Shape as Two Close

by Brandi Grissom, The Texas Tribune

Governor Appoints 13 to New Juvenile Justice Executive Board

TCJC would like to congratulate the 13 Board Members recently appointed by the Governor to the new Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Texas is extremely fortunate to have the broad experience, commitment, and knowledge represented by these new Board members. Each of them has committed their personal and professional lives to helping at-risk youth find solutions that will enable them to succeed in our society. These board members will receive no pay for their work with the new agency but will play a critical role in the direction and the success of the TJJD. To learn more about the newly appointed board members, check out their bios.